270 episodes

The Waves is a weekly conversation about news and culture examined through the lens of gender and feminism. Every other Thursday, join the hosts—Slate staff writer Christina Cauterucci, Marcia Chatelain of Georgetown University, Thirst Aid Kit's Nichole Perkins, and Slate Podcasts' June Thomas—for frank discussions about the ways gender shapes everything. Our new name reflects generations of women from the various waves of feminism, the sound waves that carry us to your ears, and the waves we intend to make.

The Waves: Gender, Relationships, Feminism Slate Magazine

- Society & Culture

An improvement

For years I’ve lovingly hate-listened to XX, and then the Waves. Seriously, three white women discussing feminism and “playing devil’s advocate” made me so angry—especially Hanna (so much like her husband, who is truly the most annoying devil’s advocate in podcastland) and Noreen, whose relative youth did little to diversify the previous panel because she’s like a boomer trapped in a millennial’s body.

I appreciate that there is now a younger queer voice in Christina and I looooove listening to Marsha’s takes on anything. She is so smart and offers challenging perspectives that I wouldn’t have considered. Nichole doesn’t strike me as having the sharpest or most clearly explained takes, and I have the hardest time listening to her.

These women are, on the whole, far more unapologetic and intersectional in their feminism than the last hosts, and honestly I read all of the complaints about wokeness as people who feel uncomfy with necessary progress. It’s not perfect, but it’s getting better and more relevant.

Interesting

I like to listen to this podcast. I recommend it

This One Was a Stinker

I'm a guy, 69 years old and a longtime subscriber of this podcast and its predecessor, XX. I give the podcast a a whole 5 stars, but this particular episode was awful. I don't need to know, I don't want to know, your bathroom habits. Please, no more such episodes in the future.